Laura Boyce (she/her) is the Pennsylvania Executive Director, leading Teach Plus’ policy and practice work across the commonwealth. Under her leadership, Teach Plus Pennsylvania has grown from a single program in Philadelphia in 2017 to five programs across the state: the Pennsylvania Policy Fellowship, Equity Leadership Institute, Philadelphia Affinity Group Network, Independence Mission Schools Literacy Content Cadre, and Pennsylvania Teacher Network. Teach Plus teacher leaders have accelerated student achievement gains at our partner schools and have achieved statewide policy wins including historic increases in state education funding, the passage of the Level Up program to accelerate funding to the 100 most underfunded districts, updates to Pennsylvania teacher certification regulations to require future teachers be trained in the science of reading and culturally relevant practice, and changes to the Pennsylvania School Code to create youth pathways into teaching and diversify the educator workforce.
Laura co-leads the PA Needs Teachers coalition, leads the Government Relations committee of the PA Schools Work campaign, leads the Policy & Advocacy committee and serves on the Acting Circle of Leaders for the Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium, and represents Teach Plus on the Pennsylvania Department of Education Committee on Education Talent Recruitment. She also served on Governor Shapiro’s education transition committee and was named a Generation Change Philly fellow by the Philadelphia Citizen.
Prior to joining Teach Plus, Laura served as an elementary and middle school leader in Camden, NJ; during her tenure, student proficiency on the rigorous PARCC exam increased from 6% to 50%, dramatically outpacing the statewide and network growth rates and the districtwide proficiency average. Laura began her career as a high school English and history teacher leader in Philadelphia, also serving as academy coordinator, department chair, and grade team leader. During her 16 years in education, Laura has taught in or led schools serving every grade level in both district and charter turnaround settings.
Laura holds a B.A. in public and international affairs from Princeton University, a master’s in educational policy from the University of Pennsylvania, and a principal certification from Temple University; she is also a graduate of Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principals Academy Fellowship. Outside of work, Laura is a committee person and serves on the leadership team for her local ward. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband Jeff, sons Julian and Dylan, and dog Rosie.
